Q&A with Justin Everett, Republican candidate for state treasurer

Profession: Small business owner — my business has done everything from cash, financial and investment management to alternative-dispute resolution between business and individuals.

Related elected-office or public-service experience: State representative for the past six years.

Why are you seeking this office?

Taxpayers are paying an exorbitant amount to backfill PERA's (Public Employees' Retirement Association) unfunded liability. This costs the state and school districts a lot of money. We need someone with the right experience and a record of protecting the taxpayer to solve this issue. I'm the only one in the race with the experience and record.

What makes you the most qualified person for the position?

The state treasurer does three basic things: oversees the unclaimed-property office, manages about $6.5 billion in cash funds and serves on the board for the Colorado's public-pension system (PERA), which may be $83 billion underfunded. This is a finance position, and I have a master of business administration degree in finance and the broadest background in investment and cash management. This is direct private-sector experience relevant to being state treasurer. I also am the only candidate in the race that has proven record of protecting the taxpayer and standing strong for fiscal responsibility.

What would your top two priorities be if elected?

First, we need to fix PERA, so it doesn't continue to bleed taxpayers. Second, we need to make sure we maximize our returns on our cash funds — even an extra half-point return on the $6.5 billion in cash funds can mean more money for priority-spending items like fixing the roads.

What else should the voters know about you?

I think you need to know someone's moral character if they're going to be managing taxpayer dollars. As a Christian, constitutional conservative that has an unwavering record of making the tough decisions and votes, you can trust that I will continue to do that as our next state treasurer.

Whether we say that behind every great man is a great woman, or behind every great woman is a great man, or we agree that behind every great person is another great person or family, we can all agree …